Monday’s weather was fair – not always the case on Remembrance Day. Like many of you, I stood at a Cenotaph, shoulder to shoulder with neighbours, friends, some strangers, young and old alike, remembering the men and women who bravely fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.
Just before the ceremony started, not far from where I stood, a sweet little girl was fidgeting. The young mother leaned close to her daughter and said, “Be still honey, this is the least we can do.”
Remembering and honouring are essential, but we can do more, and it can make a big difference. A few days ago, I heard a radio spot, asking that we give the gift of life this Remembrance Day.
Many of us don’t realize it, but there is a connection between the wars and the Canadian Blood Service and it goes back to the early days of transfusions during the First World War.
The CBS points out that there’s a strong connection between Canada’s military and the country’s blood system. In fact, during the last year of the Second World War, Canadians donated 890,000 units of blood for use in military hospitals. This generous response gave birth to Canada’s voluntary blood system.
Today, members of the armed forces are among the most generous when it comes to giving blood, which is used to help people both in and out of uniform.
To commemorate Remembrance Day, Canadian Blood Services encourages more Canadians to give life by donating blood this week – a gift in honour of the contributions of the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Today is World Kindness Day. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by rolling up your sleeve and donating blood. It’s a wonderful way to show appreciation for the military and give the gift of life.
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Cindy Day is the chief meteorologist for SaltWire Network.
